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Belmont man killed in San Fernando crash

One man was killed yesterday and another seriously injured when the Kia Sorento van they were travelling in crashed into a lightpole along the San Fernando by-pass. Dead is Belmont resident Wilfred Morris, 47, who was a passenger in the van PCX 7469. Morris was killed on the spot, around 1.30 pm, a short distance from the southbound lane of the by-pass, in the vicinity of the St Joseph Village traffic lights.

The driver of the Kia Sorento, who remained unidentified up to presstime, was rushed to the San Fernando General hospital in critical condition. He sustained internal injuries. Details on the accident were sketchy yesterday. However, eye-witness Pegasus Estate Constable supervisor Kenrick Bickaroo, the first on the scene of the crash, said the van careened out of control. Bickaroo, who was at the nearby WASA installation checking on security personnel, said he was standing outside the building when he heard screeching tyres.

“I look down the hill and I saw the van. It was heading south. He knocked out the lamp post. I just see the lamp post flipping over and then he crash into a tree stump and the van tilt over and land on the hood. I run from the hill to see if I could assist. I run, I never run so fast,” Bicakroo said. He said when he got to the driver, he was moving and talking. He said he called the police/emergency services. Other motorists helped the driver out of the van.

“I hear him saying, ‘Help the man. Help the man inside.’ When I watch inside the van the other man was saying something, but I could not make it out. We try to move him from inside the van, but he was not moving,” he said. The Fire Services arrived on the scene within minutes and removed the driver, but the firemen said there was nothing they could do for the passenger since he was already dead.

Eye-witnesses at the scene said that particular area of the by-pass has a strong air pocket and the driver could easily have lost control.